How to Productively Pass the Time Waiting for College Acceptance Letters January 12, 2010
Ian Welham on productive ways to spend your time while waiting for college acceptance letters
In the age of e-mail, the days of hovering by your mailbox nervously awaiting an acceptance letter from colleges may be over but the feeling of anxiety during the wait is not!
There are several steps you can take to ensure that your wait time is put to good use. It is important to make sure that your application has been delivered successfully. When you apply online, a confirmation e-mail should be sent to your inbox within 1-2 business days. When you get the confirmation take a moment to check your information to ensure that all your info is correct. If you spot a mistake, don’t panic; simply call the admissions office with the correction. It is better to call with the correction rather than risk a delay.
Also check in to make sure the colleges received your other vital information such as transcripts and references.
It is also important to continue your research on the colleges you’ve applied to during this time. Why? For one thing, it will help you in making the correct decision when the acceptance letters start coming in. When can you expect those letters to start arriving? Most schools start sending out regular acceptance notices in March or early April. Unless of course you are wait-listed, which in that case you should receive the exact date that you will be notified about acceptance.
Once you receive your acceptance letters, plan to give the colleges a decision by the end of April so that you can get your financial aid and housing information complete. But if you need more time to make your final decision, simply write or call the admissions office for an extension. Huge decisions can take time to make!
